Futurama created by Matt Groening. Developed by Matt Groening and David
X. Cohen. Owned by 20th Century Fox. Used without permission.

Kiyone Makabi was created by Naoko Hasegawa and owned by AIC and Pioneer
LDC, inc. Used without permission.

I cant remember the swapping itself too well. I remember
a brief moment of darkness, some flashing lights, and not feeling my body. What
I remember the most is how it ended. I found myself in some sort of laboratory
and wearing a very uncomfortable outfit. A skintight white tank-top? Stretch pants?
Boots? A hair scrungie? Im not always known for my modesty, but this was
more like something my partner would wear. At least there was a bra under the
tank top. I think I would at least try something like this in private, but privacy
was the last thing I had at this moment.

In this lab with me were these six people. Humans apparently, except for the
silver guy and the lobster in the doctor coat. I quickly reached across my chest
to get my gun, only to be reminded that I didnt have it right now. With
my usual resolve, although Im used to being armed at this point, I made
my questions clear.

Who are all you people and what have you done to me?

One of the people, an elderly man wearing a lab coat that covered his pajamas,
spoke, seemingly not intimidated by my tone of voice.

To answer your second question, you have been switched with our friend
Leela by my latest invention, the omniversal swapper.

I never thought much of the names for things, but, for once, I thought to
myself that was a silly name for such a serious invention.

It was an accident! insisted a guy with orange hair and a red jacket.
Honest! We were arguing over you know, switching people an stuff
an the Professor got mad and 

We were arguing about the ethics of switching people between unrelated
universes, interrupted a Chinese-looking girl in a pink sweat suit. The
Professor hit the control panel in rage, the beam hit Leela, and here you are.

I turned around and saw a large, cannon like device that was above my head.
Smoke was coming out of its nozzle. Something came to mind. A moment ago, my friends
and I were invited to see my own mad scientist friend, who was showing off her
own similar device to us all, the dimensional switcher. My partner wanted to try
it, right when I happened to be in front of it. I remember the discharge and
being here.

Another multiverse  I muttered. Thats where I was. I
wasnt anywhere close to home. Shock must have been on my face as it sunk
in. The way my friend described it, I would be switched with my closest counterpart
from another grouping of universes. It wouldnt necessarily be another me,
but someone I had a lot in common with.

So, this Leela was my closest counterpart?

Apparently, yes! answered the elderly Professor. Although
you probably have a good number of differences between you, but still close enough
for the swap.

One thing for sure, I said looking at my new clothes, we
have different tastes in clothing.

It looks good on you, insisted the red-haired guy.

Uh, thanks, I said, feeling a little nervous. Ive always
been a little proud of my shape, but I always felt a little uncomfortable showing
more than I wanted.

Well, I muttered, still feeling uneasy and upset with what I would
call an accidental kidnapping, my friend was working on a similar device,
and an accident occurred with that. So, I believe you. So, who are you people
and where exactly am I?

Youre at Planet Express, New New York City.

New New York? What year is it?

3004. Why?

So, I said, the realization really sinking in now, Im
in some distant future? Ohhh!

I hung my head, feeling very, very far from home now.

The future? Wait, said the redhead again, what
year were you from?

1996. At least, thats what they called it on Earth.

No way! Im from 1999! I was accidentally frozen!

Frozen? That works for some humanoid species I know, but I didnt think
it could work for Earthlings. That would mean he really lost his world.

Oh! Im so sorry!

Its okay; my old life was nothing to speak of.

There was a bit of silence. I hoped I didnt bring up any bad memories
for him. I wanted to change the subject; I didnt want to put pity on him.

Well, may I please borrow something to wear? I feel exposed in this
tank top and the people in my profession usually wear a skirt if were wearing
stretch pants.

You can get Leelas coat. Its usually in her locker right
over there. Its marked.

Thanks, I said, while bowing slightly. I dont know
about her, but this hairstyle doesnt quite work for me. I took out
the scrungy from my hair, letting my long mane down to my behind. As I turned
around to find the lockers, I saw the strangest site I had ever seen: a totally
impractically designed spaceship!

Question: Does that actually fly?

Yes! Why not?

The design: a body and wings. It doesnt make sense. The shape
is so simple. Ive seen shuttlecrafts more complicated.

Oh, I think the rules for space travel are different here than in your
universe. By the way, the machine will take a week to recharge.

A week? Well, better than longer, I suppose.

I found the locker and put on the green jacket, helping me feel a little less
exposed. I spent a minute to wonder what I had gotten into.

I was upset. Pretty upset. But I believe them that this was an accident. Past
experience had taught me that unlikely accidents can happen, especially with my
partner involved, as she partial was in this case. I tried to calm down; these
people should have been more careful, but this was an accident after all. Its
just that I hate missing work, even when I had a sick day. However, the repetitive
nature and dull moments of it were getting to me lately. I might have needed a
change of scenery and I always wanted to see New York.

I finally figured that I had been given a kind of sabbatical.

Fry spent a minute to observe this female stranger among them. She was 5 foot
and 9 inches tall, a little younger than himself, and, although lacking Leelas
muscle tone, was in good shape. Her hair was teal and mostly long, the back of
it going to her rear while also going down the right side of her face. Her eyes
were aqua-blue and her skin was pasty-white. So far, he had run into some very
striking women, including Leela. And although he would trade anything to see Leela
right now, there was something about this woman Fry snapped out of it, suddenly
worried about Leela, and an important question entered his mind and exited his
mouth.

About your friends, will Leela be okay with them?

Hmmm, well, she shouldnt have anything to fear. My friends are
the nicest people on Earth. I dont know how she would react to them, though.

Yeah, but Ive spent most of my time patrolling remote regions,
like Earths system, thanks to my partner.

But, you have a gun and fight crime and fly a ship, right?

Thats the gist of it and what I signed up for, answered
Kiyone, but the thing is, not a lot happens in my Earths solar system,
except for speeders and the occasional villain who threatens my friends for one
reason or another.

Cool!

Uh, I said threatening villians.

Like I said, cool!

That sounded like a job Leela was born for. What she did primarily was save
him and Bender when a delivery went horribly wrong.

So, I bet you signed up from it so you could get off Earth, huh?

Actually, Im what you would call an alien.

Wow. You do have some things in common with Leela.

What do you mean? Shes not from Earth either?

Actually, shes a mutant, but she thought she was from space for
most of her life. Wait a minute.

Fry went to his locker, opened it, and removed the picture of Leela he kept
there.

Here she is!

Kiyone took a long look at her.

Well, I can see why she would think that; I may have seen a couple of
cyclopian species around. So, she said this quietly, she felt like
a stranger on her own planet?

Pretty much, yeah. The Professor and I found her parents later. She
calls them every week.

Ill get her back before then, Kiyone said with a small smile.
My own looks made me stand out a bit in Japan, but I guess Im really
an outcast now.

He looked at Kiyone with sympathy. He was once trapped in a time and place
not his own until he got his friends and his job here this gave him an idea.

Kiyone, you want to fly a ship while youre here?

I suppose so. It would be nice to have to have a familiar feeling job.
Why?`

Want a job?

I later found myself at what they called their meeting table. That lobster-like
being, Dr. John Zoidberg, was serving tea to myself and the only other woman there,
a girl named Amy. The others were discussing Frys job offer for me. I didnt
like having others decide what I should do, but with not knowing what to expect
out there and not minding a job offered to me right now, it seemed the safest
thing for me at the moment.

So, said Amy, sounding a little unsurely, youre from
another Earth?

Another Earths Japan, I answered while sipping my tea. But
originally Im not. Im from another solar system. But I can see what
throws you; my friends are a little more obviously extraterrestrial and Ive
done okay passing as human. Where I come from, some races are closer to Earthlings
than others.

Oh, good! said Amy, sounding relieved, because I scared
a visitor from Frys time once by saying where Im from!

But you look human. In fact, you seem to be Asian.

Im Chinese-Martian!

Now I was surprised.

You mean Mars is colonized here? Earth really had opened
up.

Yeah, thats sort of how Fry reacted when he found out. I cant
relate since my family has been on Mars for so long. So, want a night out while
youre here? We can go anywhere; Im rich!

Well, that would be nice, but I would rather work first.

What? Are you a workaholic or something?

No, I sound, a little annoyed, I like to think Im
responsible. I like doing a job to my ability, even if its something I think
is below me. Id rather celebrate after I get some stress in my system to
work out.

Whatever, Amy shrugged, but my offer stands. Maybe I can
help you get lucky. She said that last part teasingly.

Ill forget I heard that, I said flatly.

Uh, said Amy nervously, I didnt mean it quite like
that 

I know, but it still bothers me. Im not looking for anyone. But,
thanks anyway.

You want us to hire her? the Professor asked Fry after he, Bender,
and Hermes met him in the lounge.

Well, she needs a job and we need a new captain.

Waddya mean? asked Bender. Everyone is this room has learned
to fly the ship! And Im good at bein bossy! You know that!

But she has the experience. Well, for what we go through. And I had
nowhere to go until I got my job here!

Well, said the Professor, I was going to use Leelas
pay this week for food to help sedate my man-eating anteaters before I donate
them to the zoo, but Im sure the staff knows what they like. Well
axe her about it.

A captain? Me?

Back home, I never expected to be a captain. I really wanted to be a detective;
being a captain sounded too cushy for me. But maybe the new experience would be
good for me.

Okay, I accept. Where is my crew?

Fry and the silver being lifted their hands.

Just them? Which one is the pilot?

Thats you. Didnt you know that?

Im both the pilot and the captain? Well, Ill take it. When
do you want me?

Relax, said Fry, we all had to go through with it, except
Bender since hes a robot.

A robot? I looked at Bender for a minute in amazement.

Take a picture, he retorted, itll last longer!

Oh! Sorry, I apologized. I thought you were some silicon
based life form at first.

And thats when you werent starin? You must have some
weirdoes where you come from, lady!

Ill forget I heard that.

I followed Dr. Zoidberg to his office and he showed me to his adjoining examination
table. I never did like physical exams. I usually felt a little more comfortable
if I was examined by someone of the same sex and thats what usually happened
with me at my police physicals. Unfortunately, I was unlucky on two counts this
time. One was that a male doctor was examining me. The second was that he wasnt
humanoid and not the expert he claimed to be. Now, just relax and open your
ink sack 

I dont have an ink sack.

Now, dear, dont be shy. I assure you, you have nothing I havent
seen before.

But do you even know what youve looked at? I thought to myself.

Fine! Well cut to the chase! Are you having trouble breathing
on land?

No.

You're fine! Now take your new uniform.

Say, Fry, you seem okay considerin the love of your life is gone
for a week.

I think its because I know Leelas safe and that shell
be back.

Whatever. So, thinkin of putting the moves on the new captain,
skintube?

What? Of course not! I wouldnt do that! Well, while Im sober
at least 

You might have thought of it back when you were keepin your disgusting
feelings secret from ol Eyeball. Sides, you havent seen the
new girl in a Planet Express suit yet.

Thats pretty shallow thinking, Bender 

How do I look?

Fry turned in the direction of the voice and nearly chocked in delight. Kiyone
had arrived and was wearing Leelas old PE uniform. It had flattering effect
on her, being form fitting, but not too tight. Fry was a bit distracted and didnt
respond right away.

Uh, I think this is more than I need to know  started Kiyone,
sounding uncomfortable.

Actually, theres not much to tell, started Bender. Its
just that for the past four years, Frys had the hots for 

Fry clasped a hand over his friends mouth. He turned and saw Kiyone resting
her head in her hand, looking embarrassed. This reminded Fry of Leela and hoped
that he hadnt again given a bad impression of himself.

Here we are, apartment 1-I, announced Fry as we entered the apartment.
The main room had nothing but a chair and a TV.

What he didnt know is that, although I liked having my own space, this
place felt empty without my partner.

Just then, a little creature with fangs and a third eye attached to the top
of his head ran up to us. He stopped and sniffed me.

Oh, yeah, said Fry, thats Leelas pet, Nibbler.

A pet? Well, he is cute, I petted him as I said this, and
I guess I would be lonely having this place to myself. Anything I need to know
about him?

He has three yaks for breakfast. Dont worry, theyre in the
freezer. Oh, and youll need this when you walk him.

Fry pulled from his jacket a thin robotic arm with a handle on the end. On
the handle, there was a button. When Fry pressed it, the arm closed.

Its too heavy to lift on your own. And save the stuff; our ship
is powered by it.

Uh, thanks, I said, accepting the arm, but wondering again what
I had gotten into.

After he left, I decided to try out the TV. It wasnt too unlike the
programming in my universe, which I always thought was pretty corny. I could now
see how I offended Bender; robots seemed to be a demographic. Artificial intelligence
was a rarity where I came from, and was primarily used for servants, but they
were treated fairly, sometimes as equal partners. I was open-minded. I had to
be in my work, even if some of the races in my universe werent very accepting
of others. I could see Bender as an individual. However, he didnt strike
me as very pleasing person.

I took a hot bath. The warm water helped sooth me. Nibbler came to the edge
of the tub. I stroked him and forgot my troubles for a while.

After I got out and dried off, I changed into one of Leelas pajama shirts.
It was a little big on me. I went to bed wondering if I would find this all a
weird dream or if I really would be flying a delivery ship the next day.

As usual, I felt better after I started working. What helped was that this
job was fairly comfortable to me. Flying a ship, commanding people, it all felt
natural to me. I felt naked without my weapons. They had Leelas guns, back
at the office, but Hermes said I couldnt take one since I didnt have
a permit in this universe. I finally figured that I wouldnt need one; we
couldnt get into any serious trouble.

The controls of the Planet Express ship were a bit simpler in design than
what I was used to, but they worked in almost the same way. What bothered me was
that I was dealing with two male partners. I was used to male contemporaries but
not crewmates. I was glad that I was the captain, however, and that basically
made me the boss. I could keep them in line if needed. And just because they were
lazy at the office, I thought it didnt necessarily mean that they would
be lazy on a delivery.

Im gonna take a nap, said Fry, heading to his quarters,
wake me when we get there.

Then again

As I prepared for take off, I turned around and saw Bender leaning back in
his chair.

Shouldnt you be checking the Dark Matter reserves or something?

Ah, Im sure its okay, said Bender, taking a swig of
Old Fortran.

And why are you drinking on duty?

Alcohol fuels my circuits. An its cheaper than motor oil.

In any case, I said, you should work harder.

Work harder? You are rocket skating on dangerous ice, lady!

I groaned, used to laziness, but not to insubordination.

Ill let it pass, this time, but I may report you next time, Bender.

Ah, you havent seen me disrespectful yet!

As we headed back to Earth after the delivery, my mind was full of thoughts.
First, I had never flown a ship that went so potentially fast, and yet was irregular
with its speed. Also, it amazed me that there were inhabitants on Neptune who
ate slugs no less.

Fry seemed rather distant. I figured that it meant that he missed his friend.
Bender, on the other hand, was really starting to annoy me. I once has a overachieving
contemporary that annoyed me for constantly reminding me how far I needed to go.

I began to miss my partner and other friends back home. They could be annoying
in their own right, but they had treated me better than anyone else in her life.
I hoped that they were not causing trouble, even by accident, for Leela, or vice-versa.

It had only been a couple of days, but I figured I was adjusting, to a point.
When I first adjusted to life on Earth, I called on my undercover skills and past
experience of spending time on other planets for both pleasure and business. This
felt like a challenge: an Earth that had opened up to the universe, but it was
a different than the universe I knew.

Oh sure, they had the same galaxy, stars, and even the same solar system for
Earth, but everything else was different. None of my friends planets or
races existed here. This universe had its own civilizations off Earth, such
as the Omicronians. I understood this was a universe unrelated to my own, but
I still wondered about the limited similarity of planets.

Ironically, it was this Earth that reminded me of how things were in my universe.
The Red Light District of New New York reminded me of the seedier sides of the
milky way I know, unfortunately. Bender invited me to spend a night with him there,
but I now think it was so people would get the wrong idea about me around places
with topless alien dancers.

Bender was keeping himself occupied at the Chip Strip, by the way. This was
one of the things that particularly puzzled me about this universe. Naked female
robots? Part of that statement sounds redundant and another part just confuses
me.

Fry had been avoiding me when he could. He was friendly enough and even offered
me a can of that soft drink Slurm. I passed, feeling uncertain what
that might do to me. I later learned that it was addictive and figured I should
stay away from it. Later still, I learned what it was made from. Now I wondered
why it was addictive. Amy had been nice, or intended to be. She took me to places
like the nearby pub and a singles bar called the Hip Joint.
She was trying to make me happy, although it usually involved drinking or introducing
me to guys. I later found out why she was introducing them to me and I flately
told her that I wasnt that kind of girl. Eventually, we went to a movie
with her boyfriend. I felt more comfortable then, except that it was a romantic
film and I was a dateless wonder.

I was pondering all this while watching some holograms on the conference room
table after hours. I was thinking of my friends and how they had been written
out here. I sighed, feeling very lonely.

Fry entered the conference room, feeling that he should at least say goodnight
to Kiyone. The only other time he thought of reaching out to her was offering
a can of Slurm. He was surprised she turned that down. Now, he was more surprised
to see her staring at a holographic star map and sighing.

Kiyone, whats wrong?

Nothing. Its just that well, my planet doesnt exist.
I checked your records and its not there. And not only that, but all my
friends worlds dont exist. Same galaxy, same sol system, but everything
else is different here. I know this is a different universe, I shouldnt
expect the same planets here, but with such a precise selection, its
scary.

Count your blessings, said Fry, sitting down, you still
have a world to come back to.

Oh! Im sorry, Fry. I forget sometimes.

Its okay. I miss my family and I cant help wondering how
my life would have turned out if I was still in my own time, but I like how things
are in this time better.

At least this world works for you. This Earth reminds me too much of
how my universe is like, except Earth is out of the cosmic picture there. Its
pretty much avoided and considered backwater. As for the universe,
some places are nice, but most societies are either too system based or sleazy.
Here, most of that stuff seems to be on Earth and other planets catch it. At least
things are relatively peaceful where Im from. I guess thats why I
became a cop, to help keep the status quo. But here, you have the Democratic Order
of Planets, and Im not too fond of the idea of attacking defenseless planets
to keep peace.

There was silence for a while. Fry realized that, as he sometimes did, he
had be preoccupied with his own worries rather that thinking of how things were
for others. With Leela, she had long been worse off than him, and he did not always
realize it. And sometimes, he was insensitive to even Bender. Now, there was another
lost person among them from another time and place. And he was thinking about
how he missed Leela he decided to ask a question that would put his mind
at ease.

Youre friends, you sure they would be good to Leela?

Oh, absolutely. Well, two of them might think of her as a potential
romantic rival for a male friend of mine, but hes way too young for her
anyway. Otherwise, they wouldnt intentionally do her wrong. However, they
can be, well, eccentric.

Well, hes in high school, fantastically nice, bold when times
call for it, and understandably nervous around the opposite sex.

Well, thats good, I guess. And Leela can take care of herself.
Look, Im sorry if Ive been a jerk. Its that, well, part of me
blames you for losing Leela and I lo..miss her.

There was silence between us. I looked in his eyes and I saw something, something
familiar. It was the same thing I saw in my friends eyes when I could tell
they were thinking about that guy, even if he couldnt.

Fry honestly loved Leela. But did she return those feelings. Not wanting to
pry, I changed the subject.

Actually, this situation is making me realize something. I think I take
my own friends for granted. And, you and your co-workers are reminding of
that.

Really? Thanks! So, since Amy and Bender have been showing you around,
how about I give it a try?

I kept taking short breaths during my singing. This song was Frys favorite
and its quick beat was just what I needed! I sang karaoke at home to get
the pressure off and it was working great now.

I say it, I say it, I say it again, yeah !

But this was a hard song to keep up with! After my turn, I was sweating all
over, but I heard some applause and vocal accolades for my performance. I looked
at my score. Better than usual. I guess I was trying harder than usual.

Fry walked Kiyone home, amazed for her performance of his favorite song. Kiyone
had a lot of good qualities. She had brains, a soft voice when she was calm, and
incredible looks

But she was no Leela.

Leela had a lot of Kiyones qualities, but she also had something else.
Fry couldnt label it.

Then it hit him. Leela was Leela. It was just that simple. Leela may have
had similar qualities as some other people, but she made them her own and handled
them as only she would.

And Fry loved what she did with those traits: she had them shape her into
who she was.

And who she was, Fry loved.

You okay, Fry?

Fry snapped out of his thoughts. He saw Kiyone looking at him with concern.

Nothing. Well, goodnight.

Goodnight, Kiyone returned as she entered the building.

Fry stood there for a minute. He decided on something. He would tell Leela
how he felt. He would tell her that everything about her, inside and out, was
what he loved. Everything she was happened to be exactly what he wanted in a life
partner. He loved Leela simply for being Leela.

Once again, I was amazed with the speed of the ship. My own ship would have
reached the Omicron system in a few weeks, but this ship got us there in a few
hours. I was also a bit overtaken by the fact that there was an inhabited planet
in the system, Omicron Persei 8. I was now on guard, reminding myself of how the
Planet Express team told me that these beings were usually hostile to Earthlings.
I called upon all my hard-earned training to observe my surroundings as we were
cautiously led by the guards into the main throne room.

Your majesties, announced a guard opening the door, the
representatives of Planet Express have arrived.

Ah, good, said Lrrr, the ruler. Send the pathetic humans
in.

We entered and Lrrr looked at me with understandable confusion.

Captain Leela? What are you doing with your hair?

I saluted, silently wondering why they didnt catch other differences,
like the different face.

Fry presented the package. The guards took it, opened it, chose the first disk,
inserted it into the king and queens DVD player and set the VCR to
the correct channel. After the FBI warnings, the picture was of poor quality;
everything was jumbled.

What is this? Do you dare mock the ruler of Omicron Percei 8?

No, sir, said Fry, its just that your getting the
signal through your VCR. All you need is a cable.

This set cost us 40 Earth dollars! And you say we need to pay more to
watch it?

Actually, sir, they dont cost much 

Guards! Seize them!

Next thing I knew, we were surrounded by Omicronian guards with their weapons
at the ready.

Wait! Why dont you complain to the manufacture?

Not good enough! Have them held to be eaten!

Eaten? I didnt want to cause an interplanetary incident, but I didnt
want us to die right now, either.

I quickly knocked the guns out of the hands of two of the guards. The other
two were knocked out by Bender. We ran to the palace entrance, ducked past the
guards there, and head to our ship.

Once we were in space, we were followed by the Omicronian armada. It was a
persistent chase; I didnt like that. What bothered me more, however, was
that the PE ship couldnt handle a lot of damage. My old ship had slightly
better defenses and I was used to opponents with worse aim.

What I was always feared was a situation that my training didnt cover.
To me, though, that happened a lot.

We can shoot back  Fry began to suggest.

No! I protested. Theyre only doing their jobs! I dont
want this to turn into a war! Not if we can help it.

Okay, said Bender, but do you think you can get us out of
here before they toast us?

Just look out the window! I ordered, feeling my strength of command
back after a while.

I heard Bender grumble as he head to the window.

If they were snakes, they could bite us, I guess.

Perfect, I muttered. At least the small size and fast speed
of this ship almost compensates for the limited defenses. Were a small moving
target  A small hit interrupted me.

But were still a target, finished Bender.

Bender, Fry, put all the dark matter we have into the afterburner! Im
going to try something.

What are we going to do?

Itll take too long to explain. Now move!

Okay, youre the boss-lady.

The armada seemed impossible to shake off. I hated to gamble like this, but
it was the only idea in my mind at the moment. At top speed, I went ahead of the
other ships and lowered from their line of fire. Before the other ships realized,
I stopped altogether. As the went past above us, I fired a few low
powered missiles. They generated a series of bursts which temporary paralyzed
the engines of the other ships. I then quickly ignited my own engine and flew
straight to Earth before the Omicron ships would realize what had happened.

I laughed inanely for a minute until I realized that I had risked everything
on something I wasnt sure would work, something my own mad scientist friend
would try. I now felt guilty and responsible.

Fry and Bender returned from the engine room, realizing that we had all escaped.

Yahoo! We did it!

Barely, I said as they high-fived each other. I normally
wouldnt have tried such a risky maneuver, but from how you explained how
this ship works, and how risky moves have helped me before, I figured it was worth
it. I guess now we head back home and explain things to the Professor and hope
hell go easy on us, especially me.

You? What did you do wrong?

I blew it! I got us shot at and the ship got damaged. Im used
to blaming things on my partner, but taking responsibility anyway. But in this
case, I think it was just me.

Kiyone, its okay! Things like this happen to us all the time!

Yeah! And weve had worse! Especially Fry!

But  I insisted, we still need to report to our superiors 

Superiors? We all know I could bend the Professor into a pretzel if
I wanted to go easy on im!

Look, I dont know about you two, but I always file a report. Im
going to send it and well take the consequences.

Okay, said Hermes, looking at my report. At my insistence, Fry,
Bender, and I were all facing Hermes. I expected the worst. All I wanted to do
while I was here was a good job. At least to prove to others what I could do without
my partner whom, ironically, I was know missing and for the right reasons.
I didnt want to be jobless before I left, although I had no immediate need
of money. The machine was expected to be recharged soon.

So, whats your excuse?

None, sir, I said, bowing apologetically.

None. Not even an explanation.

I believe everythings in my report, sir.

Wow. So, where do Bender and Fry mess up.

Nowhere, sir. Its like I said: the Omicronians were dissatisfied
with our delivery. We escaped and came back with a busted ship.

Oh. Well, okay. Ill let it slide 

I felt relief.

If you three fix the ship tomorrow.

The relief subsided.

I never liked ship repair, but it felt easier with four more capable hands.
Bender was bending the ship into shape. Fry was cleaning it. I was inside, working
on the engines. They were a lot simpler than the engines of ships from my own
universe. Also, my training in engine repair made the job my easiest yet. In no
time, I was out. I decided to visit the Professor to see if the swapper was ready.

I still thought that was a silly name for it.

Well, off you go, Miss Kiyone.

Thanks, Professor, I said with a bow.

I turned to her new friends.

Thanks, everyone. I still dont like being brought here against
my will and all, but it was a interesting new experience.

She looked at Bender.

Try more oil and less alcohol in the future, okay?

Ah, your not the boss of me anymore.

I turned to Fry.

Fry, I cant interfere one way or another, but I think you and
Leela just need some time alone.

Wow. Thanks.

Farewell, I said as I bowed one more time.

The Professor activated the beam. She vanished, leaving her uniform empty
for a split second. Suddenly, the form of Turanga Leela appeared in the uniform.
When the beam subsided, the woman looked around, blinking.

Guys?

Leela! Youre back!

Fry ran up to hug her, but caught himself, figuring that she did not want
to be muddled by his advances, so he instead offered his hand, which she accepted.

Good to see you too, Fry.

The others crowded around, anxious to hear what adventures she had the past
two weeks.

What was it like?

Any trouble with Kiyones friends?

One question at a time. It was interesting, though. I liked the little
girl and the rabbit-looking animal. But first, I want to hear what happened with
this Kiyone lady.

She was great. About as good as you.

She was? Um, did she and Fry ?

No. Wait, you dont suspect ?

Well, he no. I shouldnt have asked. Not my business in the
first place.